USSU Referenda: Landslide wins for transport and Co-op lobbying

The 2017 Students’ Union (SU) Autumn Term referenda results are out, and with a total of 3,042 votes cast accross two polls, Sussex students have voted for Sussex SU to lobby for cheaper and easier access to travel and food.

With a staggering 96% of 1511 votes, students at Sussex voted yes to ‘Should the Student’ Union adopt the Cheaper and Easier Travel to Campus Policy?’, with 33 people abstaining. Adoption of the policy mandates the SU “to take specific action and to lobby the relevant organisations to make travel to campus cheaper and easier for students.”

The second vote, ’Should the campus Co-op have more student friendly prices?’ was also carried by a overwhelming majority, with 94% of 1531 students taking part. As the SU is not responsible for setting Co-op prices, adoption of the policy does not automatically mean lower prices, but mandates USSU to lobby the University and Co-op to reduce prices. The question was put to referenda following a petition set up by a student, which gathered over 500 signatures. A student petition requires the backing of 150 students to be put to referendum to the whole student body.

The Students’ Union have said on their website that “the Cheaper and Easier Travel to Campus policy will be adopted by the Students’ Union”. In regards to the Co-op they have said: “The Students’ Union WILL lobby the University and Southern Co-operative to reduce prices for students at the campus Co-op”

Author

Deniz thrives on adventure and new discoveries, and after spending a year abroad in Australia she is back and ready to take on some new challenges, namely as the News Editor of The Badger! When she isn't writing you can find her hopping from cafe to cafe searching for the best coffee in town.

[caption id="attachment_35513" align="alignnone" width="2400"] Fleabag at Soho Theatre[/caption] Following the mass success of the Bafta award-winning BBC Series, DryWrite and Soho Theatre are about to hit the…